Hot Springs At Manikaran After Trekking

Discussion in 'Trekking and Mountaineering' started by Tabitha, Jan 19, 2016.

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  1. Tabitha

    Tabitha New Member

    I'm interested in knowing more about the hot springs at Manikaran. I read that it is a holy place and that the waters are said to have curative powers. Are there many tourists that visit during the year? Are you allowed to go into the water?
     
    Tabitha, Jan 19, 2016
    #1


  2. Chahal

    Chahal ਜੱਟ ਕੀ ਤੇ ਘੱਟ ਕੀ Staff Member

    There is not one but many hot springs at Manikaran and some of them are associated with historical events due to which there are temples and Gurudwaras there. Many people visit Manikaran for relegious purposes but lots of tourists go there for holidays as well. You may not be allowed into the water at holy places but there are many others where you can spend some time. Have a read through the hot springs in India thread which also has the mention of Manikaran's hot springs that may be of interest to you.
     
    Chahal, May 15, 2016
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  3. briannagodess

    briannagodess Well-Known Member

    Hello, @Tabitha! Welcome to the forum!

    Manikaran is about 45 kms away from Kullu. The town is best known for its hot water springs. Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the springs because it's a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Sikhs. There are two legends associated with the springs: one for the Sikhs and the other for the Hindus:
    • The first one is that the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, came to this place in 1574 with his disciple Mardana. His disciple Mardana, got hungry but they had no food. So he send Mardana to collect food from the village. Many people donated flour to make some bread. Problem was, there was no fire to cook the food. So Guru Nanak asked Mardana to lift a stone and so the hot spring appeared. Mardana put the rolled chapatis into the spring but it sank. Guru Nanak told him to pray to God and if his chapatis float back, he would donate one chapati to His name. Mardana then prayed and all the chapatis started floating. Guru Nanak then said that anyone who prays for his items, this will surely float back.
    • The second story is about the Hindu mythology version. The story goes that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were roaming around and they found this place where there's lush greenery all around. They loved the place so much that they settled here for around 11,000 years. During their stay, Goddess Parvati lost her mani (earrings) in the waters of a stream. Goddess Parvati was so upset that she asked Lord Shiva to look for the mani. Lord Shiva tasked an attendant to find the mani however, they failed to find it. This angered Lord Shiva which lead to the opening of his third eye. An appeal was made to the serpent god, Sheshnag and so the water from the stream started boiling. The precious stones of Goddess Parvati also emerged through the boiling water. This is how the name of the water springs, Manikaran, came to be.
    The water from the springs is so hot that it is used to cook dal, rice and vegetables. You can bathe in the hot water springs but you won't tolerate the heat for more than a few minutes. There are separate bathing areas for men and women as well.

    I hope this helps!
     
    briannagodess, Aug 2, 2016
    #3